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Biography

Francis Bacon was born in London, England on January 22, 1561, the son of Nicholas Bacon by his second wife Anne Bacon née Cooke. In 1573, at the age of 12, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1604 he was appointed to the King's Counsel, and after that he made a quick and steady rise up the social ladder, ending with him being appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1618.

Bacon also believed that while religion didn't need to have part in science, reason could not give any positive confirmation of any knowledge of God. Knowledge of God comes only by faith. Bacon also believed that reason and religion can exist harmoniously, with neither depending on the other.

He died on April 9, 1626 in Highgate, a village near London.

Scientific method

Bacon is said to be the father of the scientific method. He stood against the philosophical deductions of Aristotle and put more emphasis on experimentation and induction from data. Bacon realized that by eliminating religion from the interpretations of scientific data, scientists were free to interpret data on what was actually being shown — rather than forming it all to fit the religious ideas of the time

Quotes

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The more discordant, therefore, and incredible, the divine mystery is, the more honor is shown to God in believing it, and the nobler is the victory of faith.

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There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the Creatures, which express His power.

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The die is cast, the book is written, to be read either now or by posterity — I care not which; it may wait a century for a reader, as God has waited 6000 years for an observer. (Bacon, Novum Organum)